More than an Art Class...
A creative after school program
for Young Character Artists!
Open to Ages 8 thru Teen
HARVEST VINEYARD CHURCH
320 S. 17th St. AMES, IA 50010
Mondays 4-6pm
Wednesdays 4-5pm
.: LIMITED SEATS to keep the learning experience personal :.
CHARACTER ART CLASS is designed for kids who love drawing characters, cartoons, comics and imaginative worlds—and for parents who want their child’s afterschool time to be meaningful, safe, and enriching.
Design Characters
Drawing & Coloring
Art Fundamentals
Perceptual Thinking
Creative Thinking
Mentor & Community
Drawing Characters
Building Character
In a world accelerating toward a new A.I. reality affecting how human society and industry creates art, learning creative disciplines fosters not just career readiness, but personal growth through critical thinking, empathy, resilience, and authentic self-expression.
We provide a bi-weekly art class teaching students how to think and grow as artists and people through the discipline of character art and storytelling, anchored in strong fundamentals, creative and critical thinking, and personal character development.
Art Fundamentals
A focus on building strong visual foundations such as line quality, shape, form, proportion, and clarity of drawing. Students explore different drawing subject categories across an eight-week session.
Character Design
Students learn how to design characters that progresses through three core phases: Conceptualization, Articulation, and Illustration. Applying critical thinking helps students understand why a design works, not just how to draw it.
Visual Thinking
Students participate in guided visual and logic-based challenge games that emphasize spatial reasoning, problem-solving, pattern recognition, and cause-and-effect thinking in a collaborative format.
Guided Drawing
Live instructor-led drawing sessions for students to copy and interpret into their own style. Media and tools used vary by session and may include pencil, pen, marker, or digital drawing and coloring tools.
8 Week Schedule
Why Young Artists Love it
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Fun Weekly Challenges
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Imaginative Character Creation
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Relaxed Encouraging Environment
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Like-minded Artist Community
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Snacks included!
Why Parents Love it More
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Skill Development with Depth
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Thoughtful Teaching Approach
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Clear Progress w/Portfolio Work
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Guidance from Pro Artist & Educator
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Safe & Enriching After School Program
Testimonials
Daniel was responsible for the Character Design, Photoshop, Fundamentals of Design, Creative Thinking, and Drawing classes.
He created a friendly and harmonious environment in the CGD dept. at Chungkang College of Cultural Industries.
Yim D.J.
Prof. of Computer Graphic Design
Daniel taught one of my art classes and sparked a life-long interest. I have now been drawing seriously for seven years. I regard him as one of the best teachers I've ever had.
Daniel is funny, explains things very well and in unforgettable ways, and cares about his students.
Kaelen W.
Art Student
I observed that Daniel was kind, professional, knowledgeable and a hard worker. He was good at making the art class curriculum fit and match the students he taught.
He was always receptive to my ideas as an administrator and willing to try a new approach.
Wyman M.
Teacher & School Administrator
Hi Daniel! I am admitted in the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC).
Since I am going to the U.S., it reminded me of you.
Thanks for the past two years of teaching me!
Dain L.
Art Student
Meet the Instructor
With over 20 years of experience as a professional artist and arts educator, Daniel Wathen has taught students at all levels and ages to think creatively, develop strong drawing skills, and build confidence in their artistic voice.
As a former Professor of Computer Graphic Design at Chungkang College of Cultural Industries in South Korea he taught courses in character design, fine art drawing, design fundamentals, digital painting, and creative thinking. He also served as an art teacher at private Christian schools and as a private art tutor.
Daniel grew up in an artistic and musical family in southeastern Iowa and apprenticed under his mother in fine art drawing studies in his younger years while exploring computer art in his teens. He later studied 3D/2D art & animation, earning his BFA in Media Arts and Animation in 2002 from The Illinois Institute of Art in greater Chicago.
His creative career served a wide range of creative fields – 2D/3D game art, concept art, character illustration and cartooning, video production, graphic and web design exploring the creative field as both employee and entrepreneur.
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Daniel brings pro-level expertise into a welcoming classroom where students are encouraged to explore, experiment, and grow. His teaching emphasizes skill, imagination, and confidence; helping young artists not only draw better, but to think creatively and believe in their abilities.
.: EDUCATOR CAREER HIGHLIGHTS :.
• ART & EFL TEACHER (6-12)
LBOT Christian School, South Korea
• ART & EFL TEACHER (K-12)
Kara Christian School, South Korea
• 3D STUDIO MAX ASST. INSTRUCTOR
3DTI - 3D Training Institute, USA
• PROFESSOR OF COMPUTER GRAPHIC DESIGN
Chungkang College of Cultural Industries, South Korea
• EFL CONVERSATION INSTRUCTOR
Hanshin University, South Korea
• CRIMINOLOGY 101 - EFL INSTRUCTOR
Korea National Police University, South Korea
• ART TEACHER (K-12)
Mount Pleasant Christian School, USA
BACHELOR OF FINE ARTS
Media Arts & Animation, 2002
The Illinois Institute of Art - Schaumburg
Tuition
$150/month
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Weekly mentor-led instruction
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Guided art lessons and demonstrations
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In-class materials and resources
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A safe, supervised creative environment
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Ongoing skill development and portfolio growth
Supplies to Purchase
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HB-6B Pencils
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Kneaded Eraser / White Plastic Eraser
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Sketch Book / Drawing Book/ Multimedia Paper
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Black Ink Pen(s) (Optional)
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Marker Set (Alcohol or Watercolor) (Optional)
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Color Pencils (Optional)
Book Materials Provided
- Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain
- Training For Comics
- How to Think When You Draw (Etherington Bros)
- Master Guide to Drawing Cartoons
- What They Don't Teach You In Art School
- And many, many, more resources provided!